Richmond Virginia Film Photographer

Film Series [Making Hay]

 It’s been about a month since I shot my latest series – which has yet to have an official name – for now, I call it “Making Hay” which may end up being the name. We’ll see. But, what I can tell you – is that I am SOOO excited about these images! If you didn’t see the first post of these series — read this FIRST. The images are beaaauuutiful! I am so excited to print them. Last week I made contact sheets and it’s probably one of my favorite parts of the process. This is when you go into the darkroom and lay out all your negatives at once and see them in their smallest form. It gives you an idea of what images are working and which ones aren’t. Let me just tell you… they are working!!! Tiny little black and white squares of beauty. I didn’t know what to do with myself. Do I print them big? Or small? Lots? A few? Border? No border? On what and when!?! Most importantly, when!?!?! I shot 3 rolls of 35mm film & 5 rolls of 120 film. 8 rolls total – so about 120 images. YES!!!  Narrowing it down will not be an easy task!

Technically speaking – December through about eh, beginning of March is “off-season” in the world of wedding photography and even in some portrait photography. It can be so cold outside and the weather doesn’t always cooperate… so a lot of the time, work is done behind the scenes for commercial photographers. Don’t get me wrong, some wonderful sessions can take place in the dead of winter – buuuut, most don’t. So, this is the perfect time for me to get in the darkroom. I have a weekend here and there that can remain open and I plan to get in some much needed studio time. Originally, this shoot was done so that I can show new work with my students in May (which is still the case). However, I have really enjoyed shooting for myself.. more so now, than ever. I’m beginning to find what I’m drawn to most in my work and develop my process and fine tune the results. It’s very exciting!

I am beginning to realize just how much I enjoy being a practicing artist and that it’s essential to my work at school, my clients, but most importantly, to fulfilling myself and my soul. I give (mentally and emotionally) to my students at school all day, and then come home in the evenings and give to my clients. I’m thinking, creating, and brainstorming all day long… for others, and I’m finding a need to give some time and energy to myself. Please don’t get me wrong – I love the creative process – but I want to experience it for myself as well! I know I’ll be a better photographer for my clients, and teacher for my students, when I have time to create for myself. I have a couple personal goals for this year that all relate to being a practicing artist – this series is one of those goals. I’m shooting for myself – and I hope to do it more than once a year! The second part of that goal is to also exhibit my work — as an artist, I do want people to SEE what I do….. which leads me to TODAY.

TODAY, rather, THIS EVENING – I have three photographs at Gallery Flux in Ashland.

I know these are not NEW pieces – I did them in 2012 – but they are certainly lovely! The pictures don’t do them justice – they’re 10” x 13” silver gelatin prints… just lovely, lovely, lovely!  I’m excited to be in the show!

It’s going to be a great exhibition with lots of local artists. Please come out if you’re in the Ashland area! Another local show is in the works – and as soon as I know more – I’ll let you know!

OH! I forgot to mention – I’m also taking a Graduate “Painting” class until May. This was not necessarily a personal goal – because I am not a painter. But, I am looking forward to seeing how it influences my work. It is also allowing me to carve out some time and space to work for myself. So, we’ll keep the quotes around “painting” and see how I can work my photo magic in more of a painterly way. It’s definitely going to be a busy Spring! But doesn’t it sound EXCITING!! I’m up for it!